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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR
15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
[ NO FEE REQUIRED] For the fiscal year
ended March 1, 1997
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION
13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 0-15817
THE TOPPS COMPANY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 11-2849283
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
One Whitehall Street, New York, NY 10004
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(212) 376-0300
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Not Applicable
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock par value $.01
(Title of class)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No _.
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K.
[ X ]
The aggregate market value of Common Stock held by non-affiliates as of May
15, 1997 was approximately 152,000,000.
The number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as of May 15, 1997 was
46,400,010.
Documents incorporated by reference Part
Annual Report to Stockholders for the Year Ended March 1, 1997 I,II,IV
Proxy Statement for the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders III
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General Development
The Topps Company, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware on February 24, 1987.
The Company is the successor to Topps Chewing Gum, Inc., which was established
as a partnership in 1938 and was incorporated under the laws of New York in
1947. All references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to "Topps" or the
"Company" are to The Topps Company, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Topps is a leading marketer of collectible picture products featuring
professional athletes as well as popular television, movie and comic book
characters. The Company also distributes Bazooka brand bubble gum as well as
branded lollipops, such as Ring Pop and Push Pop, novelty candy products,
collectible toys, comic books and sticker and album collections.
The sports card category in which the Company competes continued to
contract in calendar 1996, albeit at a lesser rate than in 1995. The five-year
industry decline has occurred as a result of several factors, including: product
and brand proliferation which have led to consumer confusion and oversupply, a
competitive rise in other sports-related merchandise choices, a reduction in
retailer support and labor strife which has left fans feeling disenfranchised.
Further category declines may occur near term, although the Company believes
that these trends have begun to moderate.
On July 6, 1995, the Company acquired Merlin Publishing International
Limited ("Merlin"), a U.K.-based publisher and marketer of licensed
collectibles, primarily sticker and album collections and, to a lesser extent,
trading cards and stationery. While continuing to market products under the
Merlin brand name, Merlin Publishing International Limited changed its corporate
name to Topps Europe Ltd. in March 1997. All references in the Annual Report on
Form 10-K to Merlin are to Topps Europe Ltd. Merlin has subsidiaries in France,
Spain, Italy and the Netherlands (which also serves Germany, Belgium and other
countries.)
The Company has significantly expanded its international operations
over the last several years, establishing new subsidiaries in Canada and Mexico
in fiscal 1996 and Brazil and Argentina in fiscal 1997. The Company currently
distributes in over forty countries and has employees in twelve and licensees in
five international markets.
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Trademarks of The Topps Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries appearing in this report:
Baby Wild Animals, Bazooka, Bazooka Blasts, Bazooka Joe, Bowman, Bowman's Best,
Collect `Ems, Garage Pail Kids, Juice Bar, Mars Attacks, Merlin, Push Pop, Ring
Pop, Roller Pop, Tongue Sucker, Topps, Topps Chrome, Topps Finest, Topps
Gallery, Topps Stadium Club, Triple Blasts and Wacky Packages.
Unless otherwise indicated, all date references refer to calendar years.
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Products
Sports Picture Products. The Company is a leading marketer of
collectible picture products featuring players of major league baseball, NBA
basketball, NFL football and professional soccer. In the U.S. and Canada,
picture products are generally in the form of cards, while in the rest of the
world picture products are typically in the form of sticker and album
collections, which are a popular medium for licensed collectibles in these
countries.
Card products feature photographs of athletes and contain summary
statistics and biographical material. Over the years, sports picture cards have
been marketed in packages with and without bubble gum. The Company markets
sports picture cards in various size packages, as well as complete sets, for
distribution through a variety of trade channels.
The Company distributes sports cards under the brand names Topps, Topps
Stadium Club, Topps Finest, Topps Gallery, Bowman, Bowman's Best and Topps
Chrome. Each brand of sports cards has its own unique positioning in the
marketplace and is designed to appeal to specific groups of consumers. All
brands of sports cards are of a high-quality and feature laminated paperboard
and state-of-the-art reproduction techniques. Certain brands feature borderless
cards and also contain foil stamping. Prices range from a suggested retail
price of $1.29 per pack for popular-priced Topps cards to a suggested retail
price of $5.00 per pack for the Topps Finest brand. The Company is constantly
updating the technology and features of its cards. In 1997, plans call for
introduction of a set of cards using technology from Kodak which will feature
several seconds of crisp, full-motion action.
Sticker and album collections, which are sold under the Merlin and Topps
brand names, are marketed throughout Europe and in certain Latin American
countries. Stickers display photos of popular local athletes and sports teams
and are typically sold in packages of six. Stickers are to be inserted in
designated places in an associated album, which usually contains more detailed
information and statistics regarding the players and teams. The Company is
expanding its sports licenses beyond the Premier League in the U.K. and has
recently obtained sticker and album rights for soccer in Brazil, Korea and
Denmark and basketball in France. The Premier League contract was renewed in
fiscal 1997 and now extends through the year 2000. The Company also plans to
introduce sticker products in the U.S. and Canada under the Topps brand name in
1997.
In December 1995, the Company entered into a joint venture with a
technology company, Data Systems & Software, Inc., ("DSSI"), to manufacture and
distribute sports-oriented CD-ROMs. Topps sold its 50% interest to DSSI in
February 1997, thus ending its involvement in the joint venture.
Bazooka Brand Bubble Gum. The Company has been marketing Bazooka brand
bubble gum since 1947. Traditional chunk Bazooka bubble gum is produced in
individually-wrapped rectangular pieces in a variety of flavors and sold for
five cents a
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piece. In the United States and many foreign countries, individual pieces of
Bazooka brand bubble gum include a comic printed in the appropriate language
usually featuring Bazooka Joe, a copyrighted cartoon character created by the
Company in 1953.
The Company also sells Bazooka Blasts, a bubble gum product manufactured
with super flavor crystals designed to enhance flavor impact and extend its
duration. This product is being sold in four flavors in 1997.
The Company sells multiple piece packs of Bazooka which over the years
have included a six-piece pack of soft sugarless bubble gum, a ten-piece pack,
forty-five and seventy-five count bags of traditional chunk Bazooka, as well as
various box, bucket and canister configurations. These packages are designed
for distribution in supermarkets, convenience stores, drug store chains and mass
merchandisers.
In 1997, the Company is investing in Bazooka in a number of areas including
development of a new logo and packaging, an expanded range of contemporary
flavors, updated comics and new consumer promotions.
Lollipops. The Company markets several lollipop products throughout the
United States and many foreign countries. Products include Ring Pop (a lollipop
made of candy molded into the form of an exaggerated precious gem stone,
anchored to a plastic ring) and Push Pop (a cylinder-shaped lollipop packaged in
a plastic container with a removable cap, designed to enable consumers to eat a
portion of the pop and save the rest). In 1997, the Company plans to increase
the number of flavors and advertising support behind both Ring Pop and Push Pop.
Introductions of other lollipop products over the last several years
include Roller Pop (a pop in the shape of a paint roller overwrapped in a
plastic tray with a packet of fruit-flavored, mouth-coloring powder into which
the pop is rolled), Triple Blasts (a ball-shaped pop on a stick that changes
color and flavor three times and has a bubble gum center) and Tongue Sucker (a
tongue-shaped pop on a stick with plastic lips).
Novelty Candy Products. From time to time, the Company markets various
other candy and candy-coated gum products. Past examples of these products
include Juice Bar, a flavored candy-coated bubble gum packaged in miniature
juice cartons, as well as candy and/or gum-filled container products replicating
licensed characters and themes such as Batman, Jurassic Park, The Flintstones,
Casper and Power Rangers. These container products provide entertainment value
and are designed for impulse purchase.
Other Collectibles. The Company has introduced two series of collectible
plastic animals under the names Puppy In My Pocket and Baby Wild Animals. Each
series consists of 24 different animals which are packaged individually with
candy and a
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collector card. The Company intends to expand this new segment of its
collectible business in 1997 by introducing additional products under the
Collect `Ems brand name.
Entertainment and Other Picture Products. The Company's activities in
this area began in the 1950's. Since then, the Company has marketed many
picture products featuring the dominant entertainment properties of the time,
including The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Star Wars, Michael Jackson, E.T., Indiana
Jones, Batman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Jurassic Park, Goosebumps and The
X-Files. Occasionally, the Company has also created products detailing events
of national interest, such as Desert Storm, or parodying popular brands and
properties such as Wacky Packages and Garbage Pail Kids. Over the years,
products of this nature have experienced peaks and valleys in terms of consumer
interest.
In fiscal 1997, the Company plans to reduce the number of products it will
offer and will focus its entertainment card efforts on a few of the most
prominent licenses in the entertainment field. Minimally, the Company
will produce cards based on The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Star Wars and The
X-Files, representing three of the strongest and most enduring entertainment
franchises in the card-collecting community.
The Merlin sticker and album product line also features a number of
entertainment-based properties. In fiscal 1997, the Company marketed over 15
different properties throughout Europe, some in multiple languages, formats and
series. Examples of licenses for sticker album entertainment properties held in
fiscal 1997 include Goosebumps, Dragonball and Sailor Moon. In fiscal 1998,
Merlin will also scale back the number of its releases and will focus on
properties such as The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Star Wars, The X-Files and
Goosebumps.
Magazine Publishing. The Company is currently publishing one periodical
and single issues of souvenir and poster magazines based on subjects of interest
in the entertainment field. The quarterly Star Wars Galaxy Magazine features,
among other things, interviews with popular Star Wars artists, excerpts of new
works of Star Wars fiction, original comics adventures and information regarding
the next trilogy of Star Wars films. A special Star Wars twentieth anniversary
commemorative magazine and two commemorative poster magazines were published in
February 1997.
The Company is also publishing movie souvenir magazines in conjunction with
the summer release of two major motion pictures: The Lost World: Jurassic Park
and Batman and Robin.
Comic Books. The Company creates and markets a limited selection of
high-quality color comic books for distribution in specialty shops and
newsstands. During fiscal 1997, more than 16 different comic books featuring
titles such as The X-Files and Mars Attacks were published. In fiscal 1998, the
Company plans to publish
5
fewer titles, focusing greater attention on its stronger properties and
removing non-performing lines from the publishing program.
For a schedule of net sales by major product group for the past three
fiscal years, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" on page 8 of the Company's Annual Report to
Stockholders for the year ended March 1, 1997 (the "Annual Report"), which is
hereby incorporated by reference.
Distribution and Marketing
Sales and Distribution. The Company's products are sold throughout the
United States, Canada and Europe, and in many Latin American and Asian markets.
In March 1997, the Company reorganized its U.S. Sales Force. As a
result, U.S. card sales and national accounts are handled by the Company's own
Sales Force, while U.S. confectionery sales to all classes of trade (excluding
national accounts) are handled through broker organizations. Together, the
Sales Force and brokers sell to more than 3,000 wholesale tobacco and
confectionery jobbers, hobby distributors, wholesale clubs, newsdealers, mass
merchandisers and direct-buying grocery, convenience, drug, variety, discount
and toy store chains. Sales to more than 3,700 collectible products dealers
and hobby shops are made by direct mail solicitation.
The Company develops card products for exclusive distribution in the
U.S. hobby channel of trade. Recent examples include the Topps Gallery
products that feature unique, top-quality sports star photographs and artwork
by renowned artist Peter Max.
The Company also has a direct response membership club through which it
markets special sets of Topps Stadium Club baseball, football and basketball
cards as well as other products.
In Canada, sales of collectible products and confectionery are handled
by a small direct Sales Force and brokers.
In the U.K., sales of both confectionery products and collectibles are
handled by a dedicated Sales Force which calls on major chains as well as
wholesalers selling to independents. Together, the Sales Force and wholesalers
reach approximately 50,000 retail news and confectionery outlets. Elsewhere in
Europe, sales are primarily through candy and snack food distributors as well
as through newstrade agents or distributors. In some markets, such as Germany
and the Netherlands, national distributors are used. In others, such as Italy
and France, a more regional approach is taken. In all cases, the distributors
and agents are managed closely by a Topps manager from the appropriate local
subsidiary.
In Latin America and Asia, Topps sales of both confectionery and
collectible products are handled by national distributors under the supervision
of the local Topps general manager.
6
Advertising and Promotion. The Company utilizes a variety of promotional
activities, including television, radio and print advertising campaigns,
designed to create consumer awareness and increase retail sales of its
products, particularly Topps and Topps Stadium Club brand sports cards and Ring
Pop and Push Pop lollipops. Worldwide advertising and promotional
expenditures as a percentage of net sales for the fiscal years ended 1995, 1996
and 1997 were 6.8%, 7.8% and 7.0%, respectively.
Traditionally, the Company has relied on the popularity of its sports and
other licensed products and the consumer recognition of its brand names in
order to promote its products. In addition, as described above, the Company
has often become a licensee for characters and personalities with well-
publicized and well-advertised names. Similarly, picture products based on
movies have relied on the extensive national promotional campaigns for these
films. The Company also uses print advertising on its own product wrappers and
promotional insert cards to increase consumer awareness of its products and
promotions.
Approximately 70% of the Company's sales are made on a returnable basis.
Industry practices require that the Company provide the right to return on
sales of sports card products excluding those to hobby dealers, on comic book
products sold to mass merchandisers and on sales of most of the sticker and
album products in Europe. Returns significantly in excess of the Company's
returns provisions could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Consolidated return provisions as a percentage of gross sales for the fiscal
years ended 1995, 1996 and 1997 were 10.9%, 16.5% and 14.2%, respectively.
Production
In December 1996, the Company discontinued operations at its Duryea,
Pennsylvania manufacturing facility and took a related one-time charge of
$30,000,000. As a result of the Duryea plant closure, Bazooka gum is being
manufactured by a single contractor in the U.S. The cutting, collating and
packaging of card products previously performed at the Duryea facility have
been outsourced to several manufacturers in the U.S.
Collectible Picture Products. In the U.S., photographs of athletes are
generally taken by photographers under contract with the Company or by
free-lance photographers on special assignment. In addition, certain
photography is provided by the organization representing the leagues and their
member teams. Pictures of entertainment subjects are generally furnished by
the licensor or created by artists retained by the Company. Computerized
graphic artwork and design development for all the Company's products is done
by staff artists and through independent design agencies under the Company's
direction. The Company's Graphic Services Department also utilizes state-of-
the-art computerized technology to enhance and color-correct photography and
computer imaging to create interesting and unusual backgrounds and visual
effects.
7
High-quality paperboard is sent directly to outside printers by the
Company's suppliers. Pictures are printed utilizing a variety of techniques
and processes, including waterless printing, which allows for a tighter line
screen resulting in sharper and more intense photo reproduction. Sheets of
printed cards are then often sent to additional suppliers who foil stamp and UV
(ultra violet) coat the sheets before they are delivered to contract packagers
where they are then cut into individual cards, collated and wrapped in a
variety of package configurations.
Merlin brand sticker products are sourced from a single supplier in Italy,
with which the Company has a five-year agreement containing certain exclusivity
provisions. Based on anticipated growth, the supplier has recently expanded
its capacity. If this relationship were to end, the Company believes that
there would be other suitable sources available to meet its requirements.
Confectionery. As a result of the Company's decision to close its Duryea,
Pennsylvania plant, the Company now purchases all of its U.S. Bazooka bubble
gum requirements from a single contract manufacturer, under the terms of a
three-year agreement entered into in November 1996. This agreement requires
the Company to source all of its U.S. Bazooka production needs from this
manufacturer, provided the manufacturer can fulfill the orders on a timely
basis. Given the shortage of alternative manufacturers for Bazooka gum,
failure by this manufacturer to supply the Company on a timely basis could
have a material adverse affect on product availability and, therefore, on sales
of Bazooka. Bazooka and other bubble gum products for international sales
continue to be manufactured by the Company's factory in the Republic of
Ireland.
Push Pop lollipops are manufactured by a single supplier in factories
located in Taiwan, Thailand and China. The loss of production at one or more
of these facilities due to civil unrest or for any other reason could have a
significant negative impact on sales of Push Pop until an alternative source
could be arranged.
Ring Pop lollipops for domestic sales are manufactured at the Company's
Scranton, Pennsylvania factory. Ring Pop lollipops for sale in international
markets are manufactured by a single supplier in factories located in Thailand
and China.
The Company's other candy products are also manufactured, to the Company's
specifications, by outside suppliers abroad and delivered to the Company as
finished product.
Sweeteners, flavors, paperboard, packaging materials, foil stamping and
UV coating are required to manufacture the Company's total line of collectible
picture and confectionery products and are generally available to the Company.
The Company does rely on single producers for several of these ingredients or
processes. While alternative suppliers are generally available, some
adjustment in product specification might be required if these single sources
were no longer available to the Company.
8
Trademarks and License Agreements
The Company considers its trademarks and license agreements to be of
material importance to its business. The Company's principal trademarks have
been registered in the United States and many foreign countries where its
products are sold. The sports picture products marketed by the Company in the
U.S. are all based on rights under license agreements with individual athletes
or their players' associations, as well as the licensing bodies of the
professional sports leagues. These agreements cover the following sports:
Major League Baseball, NBA Basketball and NFL Football. The Company also has a
contract with the Premier Soccer League in the U.K. and with players and teams
with regard to soccer in Brazil, Korea and Denmark and basketball in France.
The Company's inability to successfully renegotiate its Major League Baseball,
NBA Basketball, NFL Football or Premier League Soccer agreements upon
expiration, or the loss of any of these license agreements, could have a
material adverse effect on the Company. The Company chose not to renew its NHL
Hockey license upon its expiration in June 1996.
The Company has an individual license agreement with virtually every
major league baseball player. Each baseball player's license agreement is
initially for four major league baseball seasons and may be extended for
additional seasons as rights are used, if the player and the Company agree.
Typically, these agreements are extended annually. Among the rights the
Company receives are rights to use a player's name, picture, facsimile
signature and biographical description in the form of two or three dimensional
pictures, trading cards, postcards, stickers, stamps, transfers, decals,
medallions or coins, each within certain size limitations, provided such
products are marketed alone or with chewing gum or candy. The licenses granted
to the Company by athletes permit the athlete to grant others rights to the use
of his name, picture and facsimile signature on other products, including
collectible picture cards sold alone or with products other than gum and (with
certain exceptions) candy. The Company has a related agreement with the Major
League Baseball Players Association, which governs certain terms of the
individual player contracts (and which expires in January 1998) and an
agreement with Major League Baseball Properties, Inc., which covers the use of
the names and insignias of the baseball teams and leagues in connection with
its baseball picture products and which expires at the end of the year 2000.
The Company conducts a related active licensing program with minor league
baseball players and continuously seeks to supplement its relationship with
the baseball community by personal visits and corporate identification. The
Company considers such relationships to be good and to be of great importance
to it. However, should an appreciable number of Major League Baseball players
refuse to sign the Company's license agreement, it could have a material
adverse effect on the Company.
The Company also enters into license agreements with entertainment
companies to produce certain products. The terms of such contracts depend on a
variety of factors. Total royalty expense under the Company's sports and
entertainment licensing contracts for the fiscal years ended 1995, 1996 and
1997 was $35,967,000, $34,614,000 and $37,960,000, respectively. See Note 16
of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report, which is
incorporated herein by reference, for a description of minimum guarantee
payments required under the Company's existing sports contracts.
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International Licensing Operations
The Company, which licenses its technology and trademarks, currently has
license agreements with manufacturers in five foreign countries to
manufacture and distribute the Company's products. These licensees have the
right to sell licensed products in countries of their location and, in certain
instances, other countries as well. The Company receives royalties from its
licensees based on sales of licensed products and, in certain instances, the
licensee's sale of non-Company brands. Prior to fiscal 1996, the licensee in
Canada, which had the rights with respect to both collectible picture and
confectionery products, accounted for the largest percentage of the Company's
royalty income. In fiscal 1996, the Canadian license was restricted to
confectionery products only and in fiscal 1997, it was terminated completely.
As a result, the Company now markets and distributes all products directly in
Canada through Topps Canada Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary. In addition, in
April 1996, the Company's licensing agreement with Productos Stani for the sale
of Bazooka in Argentina expired, and Productos Stani became the owner of the
Bazooka trademark in Argentina.
Royalties are generally based on sales volume in local currency and are
payable in U.S. dollars. The Company's royalties from international operations
are subject to foreign currency fluctuations. Although the Company has from
time-to-time experienced delays in the receipt of payment for royalties from
various licensees because of foreign exchange control regulations, to date,
such regulations have not materially affected the Company's results.
Competition
The Company competes for sales as well as counter and shelf space with
large corporations in the food, candy, publishing, toy and other industries.
Many of these corporations have substantially greater resources than the
Company. More narrowly, the Company competes with other companies, large and
small, which market gum and candy, and with a number of collectible picture
product companies for the spending money of children and adult collectors. The
Company believes that the industries in which it operates are highly
competitive.
Seasonality
The Company's sports picture products are sold throughout the year in
the U.S., spanning the three major sports seasons in which the Company
participates, i.e., baseball, football, basketball. Sales of entertainment
card products tend to be driven by the property on which they are based, often
peaking with the release of a movie or the rise in popularity of a television
program. Sales of confectionery products are relatively stable throughout the
year, although they are impacted by the introduction of new products and the
use of consumer advertising that can occur at any point in the year. Merlin's
sales are driven largely by the shipment of products relating to Premier League
Soccer, with much of the sales activity occurring in January and February.
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Environment
The Company believes that it is in compliance in all material respects
with existing federal, state and local regulations relating to the protection
of the environment. Such environmental regulations have not had a material
impact on the Company's capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position.
Employees
In December 1996, the Company discontinued manufacturing operations at
its Duryea, Pennsylvania facility. Many of the employees at the Duryea
facility were represented by Teamster's Union Local 229 which filed an unfair
labor practice charge relating to the closure. See "Cautionary Statements -
Legal Proceedings" and "Item 3 - Legal Proceedings." Excluding those affected
by the Duryea closure, the Company employed approximately 500 people in fiscal
1997. All of the production employees at the Company's factories in Scranton,
Pennsylvania and the Republic of Ireland are represented by unions. The Company
considers relations with its employees to be good.
Cautionary Statements
In connection with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Reform Act"), the Company is hereby filing
cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking
statements of the Company made by or on behalf of the Company, whether oral or
written. The Company wishes to ensure that any forward-looking statements are
accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements in order to maximize to the
fullest extent possible the protections of the safe harbor established in the
Reform Act. Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by
reference to, and are accompanied by, the following important factors, among
others, that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from
those projected in forward-looking statements of the Company.
Dependence on Licenses. The Company's trading card and sticker and album
businesses are highly dependent upon licensing arrangements with third parties.
These licenses, which have varying expiration dates, are obtained from
entertainment companies, the various professional sports leagues, players
associations and, in certain instances, the players themselves. The Company's
inability to renew or retain these licenses, or the lack of vitality of these
licenses, could materially affect its future plans and results.
Contraction in Sports Card Industry and Competition. The Company believes
that the sports card industry continued to contract during calendar 1996. That
contraction, caused in part by product and brand proliferation and labor
strife, has resulted in an increasingly competitive environment in the sports
card industry. Further prolonged and material contraction in the sports card
industry could materially adversely affect the Company's future plans and
results.
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Returns. Approximately 70% of the Company's sales are made on a
returnable basis. Although the Company maintains provisions for returns,
returns considerably in excess of the Company's provisions could materially
affect its future plans and results.
Leverage. On June 30, 1995 the Company entered into a $65 million credit
facility (the "Credit Agreement") with a syndicate of banks. The Credit
Agreement consists of a $50 million term loan used to finance the acquisition
of Merlin, a $2 million letter of credit facility and a $13 million revolving
credit facility to be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.
The Credit Agreement contains restrictions and prohibitions of a nature
generally found in loan agreements of this type (including restrictions on the
ability to pay dividends) and requires the Company, among other things, to
comply with certain financial covenants. In December 1996, certain covenants
of the Credit Agreement were amended to exclude one-time charges related to the
closure of the plant in Duryea, Pennsylvania and the impairment of assets at
the Cork, Ireland plant. Although the Company was in compliance with the
financial covenants at March 1, 1997, there can be no assurance that the
Company will continue to be in compliance with such covenants, or as to the
impact of any such failure on the Company.
Legal Proceedings. In connection with the closure of the Company's Duryea,
Pennsylvania manufacturing plant, Local 229 of the Teamster's Union filed an
unfair labor practice charge against the Company. In April 1997, the National
Labor Relations Board advised the Company that it intended to issue a complaint
based on that charge. In addition, in August 1996, the Company was named a
defendant in a class action lawsuit alleging among other things, that the
Company violated the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
by its practice of selling sports and entertainment cards with randomly
inserted "insert" cards, allegedly in violation of state and federal
anti-gambling statutes. Although the Company believes it has meritorious
defenses and intends to defend both of these actions vigorously, a negative
outcome to either of these actions could materially adversely affect the
Company's future plans and results. See "Item 3 - Legal Proceedings."
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Financial Information About Industry Segments, Foreign and Domestic Operations
and Export Sales
The Company operates in one business segment which is the marketing and
distribution of collectible picture and confectionery products, including the
licensing of its technology and trademarks. Geographic area information
contained in Note 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included
in the Annual Report is hereby incorporated by reference.
Executive Officers of the Company
The information required by this item with respect to the directors of
the Company and as to those executive officers who are also directors appearing
in the Proxy Statement for the annual meeting of stockholders scheduled to be
held on June 25, 1997 ("1997 Proxy Statement") is hereby incorporated by
reference thereto. Set forth below is information required by this item
covering the other executive officers of the Company.
Name Position with the Company and business
experience during the past five years
Ronald L. Boyum Vice President - Marketing and Sales of
the Company since March 1995, Vice
President- Marketing of the Company since
April 1994 and Vice President-Sales since
April 1990. Mr. Boyum is 45 years of age.
Edward P. Camp Vice President - Sales of the Company
since April 1997 and President of the
Hobby Division since October 1995. Mr.
Camp held a number of sales related
positions within the Company prior thereto.
Mr. Camp is 50 years of age.
Michael P. Clancy Vice President of the Company since
February 1995. Mr. Clancy has been
Managing Director of Topps Ireland since
July 1990 and Joint Managing Director -
Topps Europe Ltd. since January 1997.
Mr. Clancy is 42 years of age.
13
Name Position with the Company and business
experience during the past five years
Michael J. Drewniak Vice President - Manufacturing of the
Company since March 1991. Mr. Drewniak
held the position of General Manager-
Manufacturing Operations prior thereto.
Mr. Drewniak is 60 years of age.
Ira Friedman Vice President - Publishing and New
Product Development of the Company since
September 1991. Mr. Friedman joined the
Company in October 1988 as Director of New
Product Development. Mr. Friedman is 43
years of age.
Jeffrey M. Goodman Vice President - Sales of the Company
since October 1995. Prior to joining the
Company, Mr. Goodman was Vice President,
Sales and Marketing of Lincoln Snacks
Company, Inc.(a snack food company) from
October 1992 to October 1995. Mr. Goodman
held various positions with Nestle Food
Company (a food products company) from
1986 to 1992. Mr. Goodman is 38 year
of age.
Catherine K. Jessup Vice President - Chief Financial Officer
of the Company since July 1995. Prior to
joining the Company, Ms. Jessup held a
number of positions with PepsiCo (a food
products company) from 1981 to July 1995
including Director of Planning and C.F.O.
PepsiCo Wines and Spirits. Ms. Jessup is
41 years of age.
Steven Kosoff Vice President - Marketing - New Products
of the Company since April 1994. Mr.
Kosoff held the position of Vice President-
Marketing - Sports from September 1991.
Mr. Kosoff held the position of Director of
Marketing prior thereto. Mr. Kosoff is
48 years of age.
14
Name Position with the Company and business
experience during the past five years
William G. O'Connor Vice President - Administration of the
Company since September 1991. Mr.
O'Connor was an Assistant Secretary of
the Company from June 1982 until June
1994. Mr. O'Connor is 48 years of age.
John Perillo Vice President - Operations of the Company
since April 1995 and Vice President-
Controller and Chief Financial Officer of
the Company from April 1990 to July 1995.
Mr. Perillo is 40 years of age.
Thomas R. Pisano Vice President - International of the
Company since February 1995. Prior to
joining the Company, Mr. Pisano was Vice
President - Global New Business Development
of Avon Products, Inc. (a beauty products
company) from December 1992. Mr. Pisano
held various positions with Avon Products,
Inc. from 1987 to February 1995. Mr.
Pisano is 52 years of age.
Scott Silverstein Vice President - Business Affairs and
General Counsel of the Company since
February 1995. Mr. Silverstein held the
position of General Counsel from July 1993
until February 1995. Prior to joining the
Company, Mr. Silverstein was an attorney
with the law firm of Hutton Ingram Yuzek
Gainen Carroll & Bertolotti from April
1990 until July 1993. Prior thereto,
he was an attorney with the law firm of
Shea & Gould. Mr. Silverstein is the
son-in-law of Mr. Shorin, the Company's
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer. Mr. Silverstein is 35 years
of age.
Peter Warsop Joint Managing Director - Topps Europe Ltd.
since January 1997. Mr. Warsop joined
the Company in July 1995 as Managing
Director of Merlin Publishing International
Limited (now Topps Europe Ltd.) and held
the position of Managing Director of
Merlin Publishing Group since the formation
of Merlin in 1989. Mr. Warsop is 50 years
of age.
15
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The location and general description of the principal properties owned
or leased by the Company are as follows:
Owned or Leased;
Area/Facility If Leased,
Location Type of Facility Square Footage Expiration Year
Duryea, Pennsylvania office and inactive plant 389,000 Owned
Scranton, Pennsylvania manufacturing plant 41,000 Owned
Cork, Ireland manufacturing plant 101,000 Owned
and office
New York, New York executive offices 60,000 Leased; 2010
Milton Keynes, United warehouse/office 10,000 Leased; 2014
Kingdom
The Company also has offices in Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, France,
Spain, Italy and the Netherlands.
The Company believes that its active facilities are in good repair and
provide suitable production capacity for its needs for the foreseeable future.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In August 1996, the Company was named a defendant in a class action in
the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York entitled
Sullivan, et.al. v. The Topps Company, Inc., No. CV-96-3779 (EDNY) (the
"Action"). The Action alleges, among other things, that the Company has
violated the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act by its
practice of selling sports and entertainment cards with randomly-inserted
"insert" cards, allegedly in violation of state and federal anti-gambling
statutes. Each of the Company's principal competitors, as well as several of
its principal licensors, has been separately sued in its home state for
employing, or participating in, the same or similar practices. The Action
seeks treble damages and attorneys fees on behalf of all purchasers of packs of
cards potentially including "insert" cards over a four-year period. In March
1997, a similar action against The Upper Deck Company (Schwartz, et.al. v.
Upper Deck, No. 96CV3408-B (AJB) (S.D.Cal.)) was dismissed without prejudice
with leave to replead. The plaintiffs in that action then filed an amended
complaint in March 1997. In April 1997, a similar action against Pinnacle
Brands, Inc. (Price, et.al. v. Pinnacle Brands, No. 3:96-CV-2150-T
(N.D. Tex.)), was dismissed with prejudice. The Company's motion to dismiss in
the Sullivan Action is currently pending. The Company believes it has
meritorious defenses and intends to
16
defend the Action vigorously. Given the early stage of the litigation,
however, the Company is unable to assess the likelihood of a materially adverse
outcome or to estimate the amount or range, if any, of any probable loss.
In November 1996, Teamsters Local 229 (the "Union") filed an unfair
labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board (the "NLRB")
relating to the Duryea plant closing. In April 1997, the Company was advised
that the NLRB intends to issue a complaint against the Company based upon the
Union's charge. According to the NLRB, the complaint will allege that the
Company implemented a decision to close the Duryea plant prior to reaching a
bargaining impasse with the Union concerning the decision. The remedy the
complaint will seek to obtain will include gross back pay for affected
employees (less such employees' other earnings) from October 28, 1996 to the
date that the parties renew negotiations and either (i) reach impasse or (ii)
reach an agreement relating to the Duryea closure or (iii) work is restored in
Duryea under a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Gross backpay
(without reduction for other earnings) is approximately $3.75 million per
quarter. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses and intends to
defend the Action vigorously. Given the early stage of the litigation,
however, the Company is unable to assess the likelihood of a materially adverse
outcome .
The Company is a defendant in several other civil actions which are
routine and incidental to its business. In management's opinion, after
consultation with legal counsel, settlement of these actions will not have a
material adverse affect on the Company's consolidated financial position or
results of operations.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None
17
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Reference is made to the data appearing on page 31 of the Annual Report
under the heading "Market and Dividend Information" which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
Reference is made to the data appearing on page 32 of the Annual Report
under the heading "Selected Consolidated Financial Data" which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Reference is made to the data appearing on pages 8 through 10 of the
Annual Report under the heading "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Reference is made to the data appearing on pages 11 through 29 and to
the Report of Independent Public Accountants appearing on page 30 of the Annual
Report which are hereby incorporated by reference.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN ACCOUNTANTS AND DISAGREEMENTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
18
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
Information required by this item appears in Part I of this Report on
Form 10-K under the heading "Executive Officers of the Company" and in the 1997
Proxy Statement and is hereby incorporated by reference.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information required by this item appears in the 1997 Proxy Statement and
is hereby incorporated by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Information required by this item appears in the 1997 Proxy Statement and
is hereby incorporated by reference.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Information required by this item appears in the 1997 Proxy Statement and
is hereby incorporated by reference.
19
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a)(1&2) Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules
See index on page 22.
(3) Listing of Exhibits
See index on pages 23-25.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
None
20
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: May 22, 1997 THE TOPPS COMPANY, INC.
------------------------
Registrant
/s/ Arthur T. Shorin
-------------------------
Arthur T. Shorin
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this Report has been signed on the 22nd day of May, 1997 by the following
persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated.
/s/ Arthur T. Shorin /s/ Catherine K. Jessup
- ----------------------------- ---------------------------------
Arthur T. Shorin Catherine K. Jessup
Chairman of the Board and Vice President-Chief Financial Officer
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Financial and
(Principal Executive Officer) Accounting Officer)
/s/ Seymour P. Berger /s/ John J. Langdon
- ----------------------------- ---------------------------------
Seymour P. Berger John J. Langdon
Vice President President
Sports and Licensing and Chief Operating Officer and
Director Director
/s/ Allan A. Feder /s/ David M. Mauer
- ----------------------------- ---------------------------------
Allan A. Feder David M. Mauer
Director Director
/s/ Stephen D. Greenberg /s/ Jack H. Nusbaum
- ----------------------------- ---------------------------------
Stephen D. Greenberg Jack H. Nusbaum
Director Director
/s/ Wm. Brian Little /s/ Stanley Tulchin
- ----------------------------- ---------------------------------
Wm. Brian Little Stanley Tulchin
Director Director
21
THE TOPPS COMPANY, INC..
FORM 10-K ITEM 14(a)(1), (2) AND (3)
LIST OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS
(a)(1) Index to Financial Statements:
The following Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual
Report are hereby incorporated by reference to Item 8:
Consolidated Statements of Operations -- Years Ended February 25, 1995,
March 2, 1996 and March 1, 1997.
Consolidated Balance Sheets -- March 2, 1996 and March 1, 1997.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -- Years Ended February 25, 1995,
March 2, 1996 and March 1, 1997.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity -- Years Ended February
25, 1995, March 2, 1996 and March 1, 1997.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Report of Independent Public Accountants.
(a)(2) Index to Independent Public Accountants'
Report and Financial Statement Schedules Page No.
Report of Independent Public Accountants............................S-1
Schedule VIII -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - Years
Ended March 2, 1996 and March 1, 1997............................. S-2
Schedules other than those listed above are omitted because they are
either not required or not applicable or the required information is
shown in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto.
22
(a)(3) Index to Exhibits
3.1 - Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1
to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated December
3, 1991).
3.2 - Restated By-laws of the Company (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Report on
Form 8-K dated December 3, 1991).
4.1 - Rights Agreement, dated as of December 3, 1991, with
Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company, as rights agent
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's
Report on Form 8-K dated December 3, 1991).
10.1 - Credit Agreement, dated June 30, 1995, among The Topps
Company, Inc. and NationsBank, N.A. (Carolinas), Chemical
and the additional lenders party thereto
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Report on
Form 8-K filed July 10, 1995).
10.2 - Amendment Number 1 to Credit Agreement (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
August 31,1996).
10.3 - Amendment Number 2 to Credit Agreement (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
November 30, 1996).
.
10.4 - The Topps Company, Inc. Annual Bonus Plan.
10.5 - Retirement Plan and Trust as amended and restated
effective February 28, 1993 (Incorporated by reference to
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended February 26, 1994).
10.6 - Supplemental Pension Agreement with Arthur T. Shorin
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
(No. 33-130821)).
10.7 - Amendment to Supplemental Pension Agreement with
Arthur T. Shorin dated May 18, 1994 (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended February 25, 1995).
10.8 - License Agreement and Letter Amendment thereto with Major
League Baseball Promotion Corporation (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 2, 1991).
10.9 - Memorandum of Agreement with Major League Baseball
Players Association dated April 10, 1995 (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
February 25, 1995).
23
Index to Exhibits (continued)
10.10 - Settlement Agreement with Major League Baseball Players
Association (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
February 26, 1994).
10.11 - Employment Agreement with Arthur T. Shorin (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 33-43567)).
10.12 - Amendment to Employment Agreement with Arthur T. Shorin
dated May 18, 1994 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.12 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended February 25, 1995).
10.13 - Stock Option Agreement with Arthur T. Shorin dated
March 29, 1995 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.12 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended February 25, 1995).
10.14 - Employment Agreement with John J. Langdon (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 33-43567)).
10.15 - Amendment to Employment Agreement with John J. Langdon
dated June 23, 1993 (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended February 26, 1994).
10.16 - Amendment to Employment Agreement with John J. Langdon
dated May 18, 1994 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.12 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended February 25, 1995).
10.17 - Amendment to Employment Agreement with John J. Langdon
dated March 27, 1995 (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended February 25, 1995).
10.18 - Retail License Agreement with NBA Properties, Inc. dated
July 25, 1995 (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
November 25, 1995).
10.19 - Agreement of Lease with One Whitehall Company dated
February 24, 1994 (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended February 26, 1994).
10.20 - 1994 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
February 26, 1994).
24
Index to Exhibits (continued)
10.21 - 1994 Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement with John J.
Langdon dated as of March 30, 1994 (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended February 26, 1994).
10.22 - Agreement for the acquisition of the issued share capital
of Merlin Publishing International plc dated May 17, 1995
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 25, 1995).
10.23 - Corporate Guaranty in favor of the Bank of Scotland
(Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
November 25, 1995).
10.24 - 1996 Stock Option Plan and form of agreement pursuant to
1996 Stock Option Plan. (Incorporated by reference to
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended March 2, 1996).
10.25 - Employment Agreement between Peter Warsop and Merlin
Publishing Limited dated June 9, 1989. (Incorporated by
reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended March 2, 1996).
10.26 - Amendment to Employment Agreement between Peter Warsop
and Merlin Publishing International plc dated
July 6, 1995. (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended March 2, 1996).
10.27 - Amendment to Employment Agreement with Arthur T. Shorin
dated May 22, 1996. (Incorporated by reference to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended March 2, 1996).
10.28 - Amendment to Employment Agreement with Arthur T. Shorin
dated May 21, 1997.
10.29 - License Agreement and Letter Amendment thereto between
the Football Association Premier League Limited and
Merlin Publishing International plc dated
August 3, 1994 and July 2, 1996, respectively.
13 - Annual Report (Except for those portions specifically
incorporated by reference, the 1997 Annual Report to
Stockholders is furnished for the information of the
Commission and is not to be deemed "filed" as part of
this filing).
21 - Significant Subsidiaries of the Company.
23 - Consent of Independent Public Accountants.
27 - Financial Data Schedule.
25
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
ON CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
The Topps Company, Inc.:
We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of The Topps Company, Inc. and
Subsidiaries as of March 1, 1997 and March 2, 1996 and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended March 1, 1997, and have issued our report
thereon dated April 1, 1997; such consolidated financial statements and report
are included in your 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders and are incorporated
herein by reference. Our audits also included the consolidated financial
statement schedule of The Topps Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries listed in Item
14. This consolidated financial statement schedule is the responsibility of
the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on
our audits. In our opinion, such consolidated financial statement schedule,
when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole,
present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
April 1, 1997
S-1
THE TOPPS COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE VIII. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(Amounts in thousands)
Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E
- ----------------------------------- --------------- ---------------------------------- --------------- ---------------
Balance Charged to Charged Balance
at Beginning Costs and Against Additions At End
Description of Period Expenses Sales (Deductions) of Period
--------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Year Ended February 25, 1995:
Amortization of Sports,
Entertainment and
Proprietary Products $21,739 $1,594 $23,333
Amortization of Other
Intangible Assets 6,522 677 $7,199
--------------- --------------- ---------------
$28,261 $2,271 $30,532
=============== =============== ===============
Allowance for Estimated Losses
on Sales Returns $14,403 $33,688 $(35,171) (a) $12,920
=============== =============== =============== ===============
Inventory Valuation Adjustment $27,807 $10,647 $ (9,029) (b) $29,425
=============== =============== =============== ===============
=================================================================================================================================
Year Ended March 2, 1996:
Amortization of Sports,
Entertainment and
Proprietary Products $23,333 $1,610 $24,943
Amortization of Other
Intangible Assets 7,199 702 $7,901
--------------- --------------- ---------------
$30,532 $2,312 $32,844
=============== =============== ===============
Allowance for Estimated Losses
on Sales Returns $12,920 $53,256 $(44,053) (a) $22,123
=============== =============== =============== ===============
Inventory Valuation Adjustment $29,425 $7,082 $(13,092) (b) $23,415
=============== =============== =============== ===============
=================================================================================================================================
Year Ended March 1, 1997:
Amortization of Sports,
Entertainment and
Proprietary Products $24,943 $1,932 $26,875
Amortization of Other
Intangible Assets 7,901 717 $(36) $8,582
--------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
$32,844 $2,649 $(36) $35,457
=============== =============== =============== ===============
Allowance for Estimated Losses
on Sales Returns $22,123 $46,096 $(44,980) (a) $23,239
=============== =============== =============== ===============
Inventory Valuation Adjustment $23,415 $6,418 $(11,381) (b) $18,452
=============== =============== =============== ===============
=================================================================================================================================
(a) Returns charged against provision, net of recoveries.
(b) Disposals, net of recoveries
S-2